Public Health

Postgraduate Certificate

If you're interested in driving changes to safeguard public health, this programme is ideal. Whatever your healthcare background, our online public health postgraduate certificate will give you all the experience you need without interrupting your career. Its essential learning for those working in health improvement, health protection and humanitarian aid.

We have offered a Master in Public Health at the University since 1981 and we've been involved in public health education since 1893. Run by the College of Medical, Veterinary & Life Sciences, home to world-leading expertise across a diverse range of disciplines, the programme features interdisciplinary content from environmental protection to sociology and health economics.

Through our research, the University of Glasgow has been at the forefront of major public health interventions such as Scotlands smoking ban and alcohol misuse strategy.

In addition to our academic expertise, you'll benefit from input from local authorities, volunteer organisations, the private sector and the University's contractual connections with NHS Scotland.

Public Health at the University was among the earliest academic fields to move towards a multidisciplinary range of programmes, involving staff from a number of areas. Current disciplines represented include health promotion, health protection, sociology, psychology, epidemiology, statistics, and health economics.

PROGRAMME OUTCOMES

On the Public Health PgCert, you will be taught by academics from a wide variety of organisations and disciplines including environmental protection, public health medicine, sociology and health economics.

Public health has a central role in guiding health care practice, influencing health policy, protecting the public and improving population health. If you work or intend to work in an organisation which has public health responsibilities or aims to improve population health, this programme will be suited to you.

On successful completion of this programme, you will be able to:

Appraise policy and assess its contribution to population health

Apply principles of epidemiology, statistical analysis and health improvement in the field

Review evidence, interpret data and employ research methods to meet current public health challenges

CAREER OUTLOOK

Our programme has an emphasis on original research and psychosocial and international approaches to public health. Widely recognised by health organisations and businesses the world over, a postgraduate certificate in Public Health opens up careers in teaching, health programme management, epidemiology and academic research.

Potential career opportunities for graduates of this programme include lecturer, health development manager, public health advisor, health programme specialist, epidemiologist, medical practitioner, clinical university teacher and various research positions.

Public health practitioners are employed in health services, academia, national and local government, the voluntary sector, and in international humanitarian relief.

Contact Us

Call us at: +44 (0)141 278 7247

Email us at: admissions@online.gla.ac.uk

Why Glasgow?

Ranked 1st in the Russell Group for teaching - National Student Survey 2018

Ranked in the top 100 of the world's universities - QS World University Rankings 2019

Meet Our Faculty

Dr Cathy Johnman

Clinical Senior Lecturer

Dr Johnman is also associate editor of the journal Public Health. She is also a Fellow of the Faculty of Public Health and the Royal Society of Public Health and a Member of the Faculty of Sexual and Reproductive Health Care.

Testimonial

Student from campus programme

"The quality of teaching and the attention of the teaching staff was awesome."

Courses

You will complete three core courses over the duration of 1 year - 2 years taken a part-time basis. For details on full-time options request more information to speak to an admissions representative.

Programme alteration or discontinuation The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student Contract

Compulsory

MED5433Introduction to Epidemiology20 Credits

Explore the major techniques used to measure the health of populations, while considering how poor study design can cause misleading results. The course aims to make you competent at interpreting and critically appraising epidemiological literature and provides a basis for more advanced study of the topic.

MED5434Principles of Public Health20 Credits

This course will provide you with a solid foundation in public health. You will be introduced to the fundamental concepts of health and illness and the factors that influence health in different settings.

MED5477Introduction to Statistical Methods20 Credits

This course assumes no prior knowledge of statistics. It covers graphical and numerical methods of displaying and summarising data along with the use and interpretation of confidence intervals, significance tests (t-tests, chi-square tests, etc.), correlation and linear regression. You’ll acquire hands-on experience of using appropriate statistical software to carry out these analyses.

Admissions Requirements

To be accepted to this programme, you must have:

You must have a relevant 2:1 honours level degree from a recognised institution, or an equivalent qualification if you have studied outside the UK

Or a relevant first degree, at least at 2:2 honours level, or equivalent in addition to a minimum of six months’ work experience in public health or health care

Exceptionally, if a first degree is not relevant then a professional qualification and experience in the practice of public health for at least two years at a professional level are required

International students: applicants must have an IELTS score of 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band (listening, reading, writing, speaking) or an equivalent English language qualification (e.g. TOEFL iBT, CAE, CPE, PTE Academic or Trinity College London Integrated Skills in English)

When submitting your application, please include your CV and a supporting statement

To apply to this programme:

You must apply online for this programme. As part of your online application, you need to submit the following:

A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s), if you have already completed your degree

A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained

Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)

One reference letter on headed paper

Evidence of your English language ability (if your first language is not English)

Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)

Please check you meet the entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process. You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents, such as your final transcript or your language test.